• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

  • In order to help others find info on a particular bike, be sure to put the year, make or model of bike that you are asking a question about, in the Topic Title. This will allow people to pass by posts they have no interest in.

Ducati Cucciolo

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
Yeah, id definitely be having a go at the one on ebay. Its close and what ever is at the farm wont be in as good condition.
Plus it will have to get here.
 
i would try just some strong dawn dishwashing soap and a good stiff brush, on the head. works good.
 
Yeah, id definitely be having a go at the one on ebay. Its close and what ever is at the farm wont be in as good condition.
Plus it will have to get here.

Yeah I'm not sure at the moment... the wheels are new and the forks don't look like Malvern Star forks either... I'll see how the bidding goes closer to the end but it doesn't look quite as genuine as I thought initially... and it has no breaks or anything either although what can you expect for 99c bidding right?

That doesn't mean it's not worth a try though...

i would try just some strong dawn dishwashing soap and a good stiff brush, on the head. works good.

I'll give my Marine Clean bath a go first, I have a tub of it here still from the 450 rebuild. But a good stiff brush definitely is worth a shot!
 
And I got the crankshaft out tonight! Woohoo!

Did a Google search and found another article discussing how to get them out, and turns out you don't need a bolt, just a thin rod to slide in there and a hammer to drift it out.

The only things I had thin enough were a round file and a small flat head screwdriver, so I started with it on its side and got it moving with the file, then used the screwdriver with the engine back in the stand to finish up.

IMG_5040.jpg


IMG_5039.jpg


And there it is:

IMG_5044.jpg


IMG_5047.jpg


The left hand bearing feels pretty smooth but I feel it's a bit worn, whereas the right hand bearing is absolutely shagged. It notches all the way around, not one bit of smoothness whatsoever, so I reckon both are up for replacement.

I gave the inside and outside of the empty case a bit of a clean and got the gasket remnants off and it's definitely much improved:

IMG_5048.jpg


IMG_5049.jpg
 
Cases look like they are in good shape that's great news

Yeah they do look pretty good.

So far the definite issues are the clutch lever pivot hole and pivot, ignition coil, and main bearings. So far so good on the rest but I haven't touched the carb or clutch yet...
 
Started on pulling the clutch apart tonight but didn't get too far as I didn't have much time.

The key to removal is to get the spring compressed to relieve the pressure on the cir-clip that holds it all together, so grabbed a C clamp and went to work:

IMG_5052.jpg


This is the cir-clip that's the key to it all:

IMG_5053.jpg


Cir-clip pliers put to good use:

IMG_5054.jpg


And tension relieved, ready to dismantle:

IMG_5055.jpg


I only got as far as taking the sprocket with the clutch basket attached off:

IMG_5058.jpg
 
Maybe plated steel? Not sure what they used for wet clutches in the 40's
 
Maybe plated steel? Not sure what they used for wet clutches in the 40's

Yeah it's probably hiding on the mailing list somewhere if I look for it.

Oh, and the oiling on this is interesting... it's a splash system! You may have noticed there's no such thing as an oil pump and no sump as such, so you fill it to just below the filler hole and the rotation of the gears splashes oil around to keep things oily...
 
Back into it tonight, and I got as far as splitting the cases.

Sorry for the horrid photos, but I had to deal with some dodgy screws and I'll be replacing them all before putting it back together:

IMG_4873.jpg


IMG_4874.jpg


Stuck all the screws in some cardboard so I know where they belong, although as it turns out all but two are identical:

IMG_4875.jpg


And I have no idea why but these two have a raised head and two perpendicular holes going through them:

IMG_4876.jpg


And the case cover taken off the left side:

IMG_4880.jpg


IMG_4881.jpg


And no caged roller bearings here!

IMG_4882.jpg


IMG_4883.jpg


Got those rollers cleaned up and in some engine oil to preserve them until they need to go back in:

IMG_4884.jpg


Next I need to delve into the workshop manual and work out how to proceed from here without damaging anything.

I'd guess those two screws with the perpendicular holes use mechanic's wire to lock them in place....
 
It won't have the zippy responce of the 450 when you "twisty da throttle" but fuel econmy should be great. The nostalgia factor, antique, and rareness are top notch. Nice tear down. I'm subscribed and looking forward to the build and first run!
 
I'd guess those two screws with the perpendicular holes use mechanic's wire to lock them in place....

Yep....safety wire. Twist them so they are both pulling clockwise (tightening) against each other. It will look more like a race bike!
:D
 
I'd guess those two screws with the perpendicular holes use mechanic's wire to lock them in place....

Thanks for reminding me! I'd completely forgot about them but I found the answer!

They're actually where the Ducati factory threaded some wire through with a seal so they could see if anyone had tampered with it during the warranty period.

Wonder if I can find what the seal looked like for when it's back together? Now that would be an "authentic" touch! haha

It won't have the zippy responce of the 450 when you "twisty da throttle" but fuel econmy should be great. The nostalgia factor, antique, and rareness are top notch. Nice tear down. I'm subscribed and looking forward to the build and first run!

Cool... it's certainly a whole different world to the 450... and yeah I certainly expect to see some good economy out of it ;)

Yep....safety wire. Twist them so they are both pulling clockwise (tightening) against each other. It will look more like a race bike!
:D

Hahahahhaha you know they did make race bikes with this engine... now that'd be scary! Haha
 
They're actually where the Ducati factory threaded some wire through with a seal so they could see if anyone had tampered with it during the warranty period.

Wonder if I can find what the seal looked like for when it's back together? Now that would be an "authentic" touch! haha
Similar to this with a Ducati stamp on it I suspect?
http://www.seals.com/info-wire-seals-lws.asp
 
That's a very modern looking frame. I wouldn't have guessed that it was from the forties. Don't forget to get some brakes! You're gonna need good stopping power with all the "get up and go" you're building. What color will it become? Where will the stripes go?
 
That's a very modern looking frame. I wouldn't have guessed that it was from the forties. Don't forget to get some brakes! You're gonna need good stopping power with all the "get up and go" you're building. What color will it become? Where will the stripes go?

Yeah apparently that's how Malvern Star did it back then... not as flamboyant as an Italian frame of the same era that's for sure!

From what I can see around the traps, the frame looks like it will be genuine '40's but I'm questioning the forks as I believe they should have an embossed star at the top of each leg like on the headstock. Wheels/hubs/pedals are definitely modern, not sure about the handlebars.

And yes, will definitely need some brakes! 40mph top speed... hahaha

No idea on colour yet but if they had no stripes post WWII then she ain't gettin' stripes... this one's going to be as "authentic" as I can get...
 
Back
Top